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Harum-scarum

//ˌhɛəɹəmˈskɛəɹəm// adj, adv, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    wild, careless, irresponsible not-comparable

    "1832, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Eugene Aram Lester's good heart will be to hear that little Peter is so improved;--no longer a dissolute, harum-scarum fellow, throwing away his money, and always in debt."

Adjective
  1. 1
    cheerfully irresponsible wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    wildly, carelessly, irresponsibly not-comparable

    "1800, Maria Edgeworth, Castle Rackrent […] for he never looked after anything at all, but harum-scarum called for everything as if we were conjurors, or he in a public-house."

Adverb
  1. 1
    in a wild or reckless manner wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    A giddy, rash person.
  2. 2
    a reckless impetuous irresponsible person wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

Uncertain. Likely from hare (“harass, harry”) 'em (“them”) and scare 'em (“frighten them”); alternately the first element may be from hare (“rabbit-like animals”), or the second element may be a variant of stare. Attested from the late 17th century.

Etymology 2

Uncertain. Likely from hare (“harass, harry”) 'em (“them”) and scare 'em (“frighten them”); alternately the first element may be from hare (“rabbit-like animals”), or the second element may be a variant of stare. Attested from the late 17th century.

Etymology 3

Uncertain. Likely from hare (“harass, harry”) 'em (“them”) and scare 'em (“frighten them”); alternately the first element may be from hare (“rabbit-like animals”), or the second element may be a variant of stare. Attested from the late 17th century.

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